Crew SC's Kamara nominated for 'Newcomer of Year'

by Csaba Sukosd

In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Columbus Crew SC today announced that forward Ola Kamara has been named a finalist for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year award. Additionally, the club has been nominated as a finalist for the MLS Fair Play award.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Columbus Crew SC today announced that forward Ola Kamara has been named a finalist for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year award. Additionally, the club has been nominated as a finalist for the MLS Fair Play award.

In his first Major League Soccer season, Ola Kamara became an immediate scoring threat, tallying 16 times in just 20 starts, earning himself the club’s Golden Boot award. Kamara was just the fifth player in Crew SC history to record a 16-goal campaign.

WATCH: Ola Kamara reflects on becoming part of Club and City – http://crew.sc/CCKamara

Voted online by supporters for each match, Kamara was voted the Barbasol Man of the Match a club-leading 10 times this season. Kamara’s acrobatic goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on September 10 at MAPFRE Stadium was recently among nominees in AT&T MLS Goal of the Year voting. Kamara was MLS Player of the Week in Week 13 of the MLS season following his hat trick against Real Salt Lake, Crew SC’s first regular-season hat trick since 2004.

Nine of the Norwegian’s goals came in just four matches, registering four multi-goal games this season: one hat-trick and three braces. Kamara also added two assists in his first campaign with the Black & Gold.

Historically, Crew SC has captured the MLS Fair Play award on four previous occasions, most recently in 2007. The club also secured the honor in 2004, 1999 and 1997. In 2012, Federico Higuain won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.